Recent
updates in Golden Triangle retailWritten by Justin on May 28, 2005 at 12:31AM

Lowe's has, at last, created
the press release regarding the Framingham store on Route 30. It's
slated to be opening sometime in the first few months of 2006; more
information can be found at the URL, http://lowes.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=press_releases&item=720.
Also, has anyone noticed the considerable amount of plywood in windows
of the Lowe's building? At least two windows have been blown out and
replaced with plywood on the back side of the building, one window on
the North/South Connector side, but nothing really on the front yet.
Some heavy equipment should be entering the scene soon...

The nice looking green banner
that was hanging on the Wonder Bread fence on Speen Street has been
taken down! It was actually a nice looking barrier, and I'd bet that
the Town of Natick had a problem with it. (see: condo info banner on
Parking Garage C)

On the Natick Planning Board's
website, it appears that there were discussions regarding the Sherwood
Plaza Petco at the two meetings this month. Could some exterior
renovations be on the way?

I also hear that exterior
renovations are forthcoming for the T.G.I. Fridays at Shopper's World.

Also, the interior work on the
Old Connecticut Path Stop & Shop seems to be wrapping up. New deli,
bakery, Dunkin Donuts, Boston Market, and pharmacy sections are
complete, and currently tileing work is leading to many closed aisles.
Beauty products and natural foods appear to now be located where frozen
foods were; no word yet on where frozen foods is moving.

I've got a photo of Bob's
Discount Furniture that will be going up shortly, and I've got a "photo
shoot" on the way soon. Additionally, I'm planning to get you all
updated with the latest developments in the Natick Mall condo
developments. Have any questions, comments, or corrections? Just let me
know through the feedback box!

Verizon
demolition expected to start soonWritten by Justin on May 15, 2005 at 11:33AM

Looking at the information
online at Framingham's permit database, I would expect demolition of
the Verizon building to begin soon. The building appears to have some
of the windows blown out and replaced by what appears to be cardboard.
It's also surrounded by a small, black fence, but not one that could
prevent people from entering. But by viewing the permit database, it
looks like a general contractor has been chosen. It's Themeli Builders,
who appear to have built many of the buildings at the new Shoppes at
Blackstone Valley in Millbury. The have also built the Lowe's store in
Worcester, and will likely be a good choice for the project. I believe
that the Planning Board needs to look at the project one final time
before it is, well, finalized. By the way, you can check on permits for
the Lowe's project at the following link: http://www.framinghamma.gov/Permit_Property/PermitsPage1.aspx?Street_No=350&Street=COCHITUATE%20RD.

Wonder
Bread site slowly "metamorphasizing"Written by Justin on May 15, 2005 at 11:27AM

Anyone notice the new green
signage covering the fencing surrounding the Natick Mall. It says
something like "A Metamorphasis Is Coming: Neiman Marcus and
Nordstrom", and also provides a link to the mall's website for more
information. I wonder when we will see something big happening at the
construction site?

Natick
Mall rail-trail tunnel making progressWritten by Justin on May 15, 2005 at 11:20AM

The Natick Mall is making
progress with rail-trail advocates, and is talking with them regarding
the construction of a tunnel for pedestrians and bikers that would run
under Speen Street. The MWDN reports that while the mall would like a
$2 million dollar tunnel which would expectedly be rather fancy,
rail-trail advocates would settle with a cheap, $100,000 tunnel.
However, rail-trail leaders are optimistic that the tunnel will be
built. The MWDN has a story online at http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=98617.

Natick
Mall announces hotel and condo plansWritten by Justin on May 15, 2005 at 11:09AM

At last, there's some news
regarding the Natick Mall's Phase II. Reportedly, the Natick Mall's new
condos will be available in one, two and three-bedroom units, and will
cost between $150,000 and $500,000. 15% of these will be considered
affordable housing, which will bring Natick to a more acceptable level,
as the town is currently below the state's required amount. The 8-story
towers will be 80 feet tall, and many members questioned that tower's
height.

Additionally, a new component
was added to the project. Ever since the Ritz-Carlton was dropped from
the project in 2003, it had seemed that the project would not have a
hotel. Now, General Growth is adding a "non-chain, small, upscale"
boutique-style hotel, which seemed to have most of the Natick Planning
Board's support.

Cloverleaf
Mall apartments an expensive burdenWritten by Justin on May 2, 2005 at 9:42PM

Not much retail news has come
up lately, other than this piece about a week ago. Apparently, the
management of Cloverleaf Apartments LLC, who plans to build the
10-story tower, wants Natick to pay it's legal fees of about $1 million
dollars. The apartments, which are not affiliated with the mall, claim
that the town is responsible because of the fact that Natick needs the
complex to be built as Natick presently does not have enough 40B, or
affordable, housing. The tower, if constructed, will have a large
amount (46) of it's units as affordable housing.

To separate my view from the
facts, this project appears to be ridiculous on both sides. First,
though I have not seen the plans, it sounds to me like a gigantic
public housing complex reminicent of, say, the Cabrini-Green complex
in Chicago, well-known as the location of Good Times. Unless the
building looks really good, it's probably going to be an eyesore like
the Hampton Inn next door (at least the Natick Mall's two 8-story
towers look good). At the same time, the Town of Natick badly needs
affordable housing, and their proposal was turned down by the state as
the town claimed that they had more 40B housing than they actually
have, and appears to be acting rather demeaning toward these projects
as if they are public housing. Something interesting will certainly
come out of this. The MWDN's story, as viewed through the Milford Daily
News' site, is at http://www.milforddailynews.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=69953.

And that's it! As always, be
sure to send me your comments, corrections and memories through the feedback box. Thanks!